Finance Lead

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

A leading water and wastewater retailer, Pennon Water Services (trading as Source for Business), supports over 150,000 businesses accounts across the UK. With a commitment to helping our customers lower their water use and safe money, our team provide expert advice on water efficiency, leakage, and contingency.

We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goal? Net zero by 2030, supported by partnerships with Wildlife Trusts and National Parks.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Great new opportunity for a Finance Lead at a salary up to £55,000 per annum. Based in Exeter you will be part of our Pennon Water Services team for an initial 12 month contract.

The role

We're seeking an ambitious and technically strong Finance Lead to play a key role within the PWS Finance team. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you'll support core financial processes, ensure integrity in reporting and planning, and provide high-quality financial insight to help drive business success.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified finance professional looking to develop in a role with exposure to strategic financial management, regulatory reporting, audit, and business partnering.

• Support financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and control processes including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, VAT, and fixed asset accounting

• Manage statutory, regulatory, and group financial reporting, including audit and compliance activities

• Ensure robust financial controls and timely completion of period-end and board reporting

• Collaborate with business managers to develop and monitor budgets, reporting variances to senior leadership

• Maintain internal control standards and policies aligned with Pennon Group

• Provide financial oversight for group subsidiaries and support treasury, tax, and group finance interactions

• Drive process improvements and deliver proactive financial advice across the business

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA qualified, ideally with a relevant degree

• Proven post-qualification experience in financial control, preferably within a group or standalone environment

• Strong leadership and team management skills in a busy finance function

• Experienced with integrated financial management systems and advanced MS Office skills

• Excellent analytical, reporting, and communication skills

• Sound judgment with a commercial, solutions-focused mindset

• Knowledge of water retail industry and regulatory frameworks is a plus

• Highly organised, resilient, and able to manage multiple priorities

• Strong integrity and a collaborative team player

We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with us. PWS is a subsidiary of Pennon Group, one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.

In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays

• A discretionary Bonus

• Competitive Contributory Pension

• Share-save Scheme

• Various health benefits

• Wellbeing support programmes

• A range of Group Discounts

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Financial support services

• And plenty more!

• If you're ready to make a real impact and grow your career in a dynamic finance leadership role, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 1st February 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.